Coke: Sevilla has international respect

Sevilla captain Coke says his team has a unique relationship with the Europa League and that their record in the competition has given them international recognition.

As Unai Emery's team prepare for Wednesday night's Europa League final against Liverpool, the Spanish club's captain discussed his team's remarkable history in the competition with UEFA.com.

"There's a two-way relationship between our team and this competition," he said. "The Europa League has given Sevilla international recognition and respect, and that's because we've always taken this competition seriously."

This will be Sevilla's third consecutive Europa League final, having won the previous two. They have also won the trophy on two previous occasions, making them the most successful team in the competition's history.

"We had to play a preliminary round in Podgorica in 2013-14, and when we went there we were really excited, as though we were about to play in a final! And because of that attitude, the team and the fans started to love this tournament.

"And the Europa League has really rewarded us with some great victories and a lot of success," he added.

"Sevilla and the Europa League already have a close mutual bond, and winning this trophy for the fifth time, and the third time in a row, would literally mean we are making history. No one knows if anyone will achieve that again. It is very unlikely.

"Of course, we are not fully aware of the magnitude of what we are doing, but that will be clearer a few years from now. I would love to play in a final like this every year, but that's very difficult," the 29-year-old concluded.